Posted on January 23, 2025 at 1 p.m.
While the weather is warming up, many roads are still icy. Our plan is to return to normal operations on Friday, but your safety is our primary concern. Please read the details below.
Downtown Campus SoM personnel
The School of Medicine will hopefully return to normal operations on Friday, January 24, 2025. We ask that supervisors remain flexible in allowing staff to address personal needs during this extreme weather event. Some, particularly those on the Northshore, may have trouble or delay getting in.
The Murphy building will close at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. The entrance and exit to the Murphy building could potentially still have ice tomorrow, so please be cautious.
Dining in the Hutchinson Cafeteria is closed today and will likely be closed tomorrow.
Please stay off the roads unless necessary today. There is still significant ice on elevated bridges and roadways.
Information for residents, fellows, and students is included below but is also being sent to individual groups.
Hospital systems (LCMC, VA, etc.)
LCMC hospitals have "code grey” teams of some of our residents, fellows, and faculty in lock-down providing medical care; this ends at 7 PM tonight for EJ and UMC. Clinics and elective procedures are again cancelled Thursday.
The VA had clinics closed this morning but will try to have some clinics open this afternoon. VA leadership will be communicating with individual providers.
UMC and EJ are looking to add clinic sessions and elective procedures Friday and beyond (including on Saturday) to avoid excessively delayed care. Hospital leadership will be contacting providers.
TUMG Clinics
Tulane/TUMG clinics will continue to be remote on Thursday, although some in New Orleans may open in the afternoon. Contact your supervisor if you may be affected. Clinic managers should work with their department and physician leaders to make decisions about Thursday’s clinics.
Residents and Fellows
Residents and fellows uncertain of whether to report to the hospital should contact their program directors. Broad announcements to all will be sent via Tulane.edu email and the School of Medicine website homepage.
Please note that School of Medicine faculty, residents, and fellows may have different roles and responsibilities than other Tulane schools and must follow the guidance of their departments and the GME Office.
Medical Students
Phase 1 and Phase 2: All sessions are remote today . Please refer to instructions from Dr. Rae and course directors.
T3 and T4 Clinical Rotations: There will be no clinical rotations through Thursday.
Didactics: Any didactic sessions scheduled Thursday will be held via zoom at the discretion of the respective course/clerkship directors.
Clerkship directors should contact students not in the New Orleans metro area.
Nursing Students
All nursing sessions are remote today.
BMS Students
BMS Classes: Thursday classes will be remote. In the case of any questions, please communicate with your course instructors.
First- and Second-Year PhD Students: Should remain off-campus on Thursday.
Third-Year and Beyond PhD Students: Should communicate with their research mentors regarding plans and expectations.
Please monitor Tulane.edu email and the School of Medicine website for updates.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to safety during what we hope is a once-in-a-lifetime snow event.
Lee
Posted on January 22, 2025 at 6:15 p.m.
While the once-in-a-century snow has stopped, roads are still expected to remain icy until Thursday morning at the earliest. Our primary concern remains the safety and well-being of all, so our plans for Thursday operations have not changed (See below).
We intend to resume normal activities on Friday, but there may be a delayed start if weather conditions (e.g., icy roads) continue to make that necessary. Please stay tuned to your email tomorrow, and for your ease below are yesterday’s updates about Thursday operations again:
Downtown Campus SoM personnel
Only Essential personnel should report to work on-site on Thursday, January 23, 2025. This includes physicians and other health care and medical providers, and those performing critical and time-sensitive research. Others should work from home at the direction of their supervisors.
Updates will continue to be sent via tulane.edu email and posted on the School of Medicine Website.
We ask that supervisors remain flexible in allowing staff to address personal needs during this extreme weather event.
At this time, the buildings are not being closed. However, should that become necessary, it will be communicated by the University and SoM. The Murphy building will be open regular hours on Thursday.
Please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Remember that as you begin to drive over the next two days, the snow will likely cover a very hard sheet of ice, which leads to particularly slippery roads.
The shuttle service between Downtown/Hutchinson and East Jefferson General Hospital will not be operating on Thursday.
Information for residents, fellows, and students is included below but is also being sent to individual groups.
Hospital systems (LCMC, VA, etc.)
LCMC hospitals have "code grey” teams of some of our residents, fellows, and faculty in lock-down providing medical care. Clinics and elective procedures will again be cancelled Thursday.
The VA continues with clinics closed in the morning but will try to have some clinics open in the afternoon.
VA leadership will be communicating with individual providers.
UMC and EJ are looking to add clinic sessions and elective procedures Friday and beyond (including on Saturday) to avoid excessively delayed care. Hospital leadership will be contacting providers.
TUMG Clinics
Tulane/TUMG clinics will continue to be remote on Thursday, although some in New Orleans may open in the afternoon. Contact your supervisor if you may be affected. Clinic managers should work with their department and physician leaders to make decisions about Thursday’s clinics.
Residents and Fellows
Residents and fellows uncertain of whether to report to the hospital should contact their program directors. Broad announcements to all will be sent via Tulane.edu email and the School of Medicine website homepage.
Please note that School of Medicine faculty, residents, and fellows may have different roles and responsibilities than other Tulane schools and must follow the guidance of their departments and the GME Office.
Medical Students
Phase 1 and Phase 2: All sessions will be remote on Thursday. Please refer to instructions from Dr. Rae and course directors.
T3 and T4 Clinical Rotations: There will be no clinical rotations through Thursday.
Didactics: Any didactic sessions scheduled Thursday will be held via zoom at the discretion of the respective course/clerkship directors.
Clerkship directors should contact students not in the New Orleans metro area.
Nursing Students
All nursing sessions will be remote on Thursday.
BMS Students
BMS Classes: Thursday classes will be remote. In the case of any questions, please communicate with your course instructors.
First- and Second-Year PhD Students: Should remain off-campus on Thursday.
Third-Year and Beyond PhD Students: Should communicate with their research mentors regarding plans and expectations.
With this much snow and the continuing cold weather, travel will be hazardous for the next couple of days. Please monitor Tulane.edu email and the School of Medicine website for updates.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to safety during this unusual weather event.
Lee
Posted on January 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
The snow is still coming down, and the roads are expected to remain icy until Thursday morning at the earliest. The School’s primary concern is the safety and well-being of all, so we have a few updates about our operational plans over the next couple of days. Please read below.
Downtown Campus SoM personnel
Only Essential personnel should report to work on-site on Wednesday January 22 and Thursday, January 23, 2025. This includes physicians and other health care and medical providers, and those performing critical and time-sensitive research. Others should work from home at the direction of their supervisors.
Updates will continue to be sent via tulane.edu email and posted on the School of Medicine Website.
We ask that supervisors remain flexible in allowing staff to address personal needs during this extreme weather event.
At this time, the buildings are not being closed. However, should that become necessary, it will be communicated by the University and SoM. The Murphy building is operating on limited hours on Wednesday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will be open regular hours on Thursday.
Please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Remember that as you begin to drive over the next two days, the snow will likely cover a very hard sheet of ice, which leads to particularly slippery roads.
Information for residents, fellows, and students is included below but is also being sent to individual groups.
Hospital systems (LCMC, VA, etc.)
LCMC hospitals have "code grey” teams of some of our residents, fellows, and faculty in lock-down providing medical care. Clinics and elective procedures will again be cancelled Wednesday and likely Thursday.
The VA is closing clinics and canceling surgeries Wednesday.
TUMG Clinics
Tulane/TUMG clinics will continue to be remote on Wednesday. Contact your supervisor if you may be affected. Clinic managers should work with their department and physician leaders to make decisions about Thursday’s clinics.
Residents and Fellows
Residents and fellows uncertain of whether to report to the hospital should contact their program directors. Broad announcements to all will be sent via Tulane.edu email and the School of Medicine website homepage.
Please note that School of Medicine faculty, residents, and fellows may have different roles and responsibilities than other Tulane schools and must follow the guidance of their departments and the GME Office.
Medical Students
Phase 1 and Phase 2: All sessions will be remote Wednesday and Thursday. Please refer to instructions from Dr. Rae and course directors.
T3 and T4 Clinical Rotations: There will be no clinical rotations through Thursday.
Didactics: Any didactic sessions scheduled Wednesday or Thursday will be held via zoom at the discretion of the respective course/clerkship directors.
Clerkship directors should contact students not in the New Orleans metro area.
Nursing Students
All nursing sessions will be remote Wednesday and Thursday.
BMS Students
BMS Classes: Wednesday and Thursday classes will be remote. In the case of any questions, please communicate with your course instructors.
First- and Second-Year PhD Students: Should remain off-campus on Wednesday and Thursday.
Third-Year and Beyond PhD Students: Should communicate with their research mentors regarding plans and expectations.
With this much snow and the continuing cold weather, travel will be hazardous for the next couple of days. Please monitor Tulane.edu email and the School of Medicine website for updates.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to safety during this unusual weather event.
Lee
Posted Monday, January 20 at 1:30 p.m.
We continue to monitor the unusually cold weather and possible ice and snow predicted for Tuesday and maybe Wednesday morning. The School’s primary concern is the safety and well-being of all.
There are a few updates from the previous message. Please read below.
Downtown Campus SoM personnel
Only essential personnel should report to work on-site on Tuesday, January 21st and Wednesday January 22,2025. This includes physicians and other health care and medical providers, and those performing critical and time-sensitive research. Others should work from home at the direction of their supervisors.
Updates will continue to be sent via tulane.edu email and posted on the School of Medicine Website.
We ask that supervisors remain flexible in allowing staff to address personal preparations for the extreme cold weather.
At this time, the buildings are not being closed. However, should that become necessary, it will be communicated by the University and SoM. The Murphy building is operating on limited hours, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday (today) and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22. As of now, the building will be open at its regular hours on Wednesday, January 23. The Hutchinson building is open 24/7 for research purposes, but the Matas Library will be closed Tuesday and likely Wednesday morning.
The Downtown/Hutchinson to East Jefferson General Hospital shuttle will not be operating on Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22 due to anticipated poor road conditions.
Everyone is again advised to prepare for cold weather by ensuring homes are properly insulated and stocked with essential supplies. Please take precautions for freezing temperatures, including protecting exposed pipes and staying off icy roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.
Information for residents, fellows, and students is included below but is also being sent to individual groups.
Hospital systems (LCMC, VA, etc.)
Most hospital systems have made arrangements with the medical staff for sheltering in place overnight for the needed care teams.
The VA is closing clinics and canceling surgeries tomorrow.
LCMC facilities are going into a Code Grey lockdown at 7 p.m. tonight. All LCMC clinics are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
TUMG Clinics
Tulane/TUMG clinics will be virtual or closed on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Contact your supervisor if you may be affected. Patients will be contacted directly.
Residents and Fellows
Residents and fellows uncertain of whether to report to the hospital should contact their program directors. Broad announcements to all will be sent via Tulane.edu email and the School of Medicine Website Homepage.
Please note that School of Medicine faculty, residents, and fellows may have different roles and responsibilities than other Tulane schools and must follow the guidance of their departments and the GME Office.
Medical Students
Phase 1 and Phase 2: All sessions (Tuesday and Wednesday) will be remote; please refer to instructions from Dr. Rae and course directors.
T3 and T4 Clinical Rotations: T3 and T4 clinical students should not report to their hospitals or clinics tomorrow and Wednesday, as the hospitals are on a "Code Grey" status. Clinical duties should resume as usual on Thursday. Specific reporting details should be discussed with your clerkship director or clinic attendings.
Didactics: Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will be via Zoom at the discretion of the respective course/clerkship directors.
Clerkship directors should contact students not in the New Orleans metro area.
BMS Students
BMS Classes: Tuesday and Wednesday classes will be remote. In the case of any questions, please communicate with your course instructors.
First- and Second-Year PhD Students: Should remain off-campus on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Third-Year and Beyond PhD Students: Should communicate with their research mentors regarding plans and expectations.
Please plan to try and finish up any experiments in advance of Monday evening. If the weather is as currently predicted, all students are encouraged to stay off the roads and shelter at home on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
This unusual weather circumstance may be a challenge for many this week. The current forecast predicts sub-freezing temperatures and potential icy conditions, which could create hazardous travel and infrastructure issues. Please monitor Tulane.edu email and the School of Medicine website for updates.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to safety during this period of severe cold weather. Stay warm and take care.
Lee
